Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Maryland Department of the Environment

Governor O’Malley Hosts first State of Maryland sponsored Civic Hacking Challenge

Governor O’Malley Hosts first State of Maryland sponsored Civic Hacking Challenge

Scientists, programmers and citizens to come together to create solutions for Chesapeake Bay Restoration

(BALTIMORE, MD – July 30, 2014) Scientists, programmers, techies and other civic hackers will come together this weekend at the DataBay “Reclaim the Bay” Innovation Challenge to create data-driven applications that increase public engagement and aid in Chesapeake Bay restoration. The Challenge, created by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and DataBay partners, will bring participants together with prominent environmental futurists who will describe some of the Chesapeake Bay’s challenges and needs.  Judges will award cash prizes to participants with the best ideas.

WHO:  

  • Peyton Robertson, Director, NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office
  • Antonio J. Busalacchi, Director, University of Maryland’s Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center
  • Programmers, Scientists, techies, students and Civic Hackers
  • Sponsors including University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences and A. James Clark School of Engineering and the Chesapeake Bay Trust
  • Partners including representatives from Office of the Governor, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, National Aquarium, The Future of Information Alliance, Hack Baltimore and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, EPA

WHEN:  Friday, August 1, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday, August 2, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday, August 3, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Finalist selection and prizes awarded Sunday afternoon.

WHERE:  Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD, 21037

WHY:  Harnessing the power of new technologies, open data and innovation has the potential to reverse hundreds of years of Chesapeake Bay decline by fostering an unprecedented strengthening of public engagement and interest in restoring the Bay. 

# # #